Oldest Vedic ritual 'Athirathram' to be held after 35 years

Here is an information on the proposed conduction of the Athirathra homa in Kerala. The last time it was conducted was in 1975. An article on the homa and the Kirlian photography experiments of that homa were reported as a full page article in The Hindu at that time. It was reported that the smoky atmosphere (made so by the homa) at the time of the Purna ahuthi showed a massive image of dancing Shiva through Kirlian photography. I am curiously looking forward to this Homa next year.

A related article on this can be read in the following link in this blog.

http://jayasreesaranathan.blogspot.com/2008/08/homa-to-be-monitered-by-scientists.html

Given below is the news item on the upcoming homa in 2011.

Oldest Vedic ritual 'Athirathram' to be held after 35 years
Agencies
Posted online: 2010-11-11 15:38:46+05:30

Kochi

'Athirathram' considered as the oldest vedic ritual in the world, will be held at Panjal, a sleepy village in Kerala's thrissur district, in April next year, after a 35 year gap.

Considered the ultimate invocation of vedic scriptures for universal harmony, the 2011 'Athirathram', aims to promote universal harmony, peace, prosperity and spirtitual enlightment, and will be held from April 4-15 at the vicinity of Panjal Lakshmi Narayana temple, Dr Shivakaran Namboodiripad, P Neelakantan and Advocate K Krishnakumar, all trustees of the Ottapalam based Varthathe Trust, the organisers, told reporters here today.

Panjal was the venue of the 'Athirathram' held in 1975 under the leadership of the US Harvard and Berkeley Universities and Finland's Helsinki University. The event had made global headlines for its message of peace, universal oneness and solidarity.

Puthillathu Ramanujan Somayajippadu will be 'Yajamanan' and Dhanyapathanadi as 'Yajamanapatni'.

Krishnakumar said the preparations for the ritual are on in full swing. 'Yajurveda' and 'Samaveda' practices that precede the Athirathram' have begun at the Panjal Thotttathil Mana and Kavupra Maarath Mana. Preparation for the ritual began after obtaining the customary consent from Shukapuram temple.

The choice of Panjal as the venue for Athirathram is also in line with geographic and vaasthu principles. The 'yagashala' (where the ceremonies will be performed) is positioned to imbibe the energy of the sun, Dr Shivakaran said.

The expenses are estimated to touch rs one crore and the organisers are expecting at elast 15,000 people to witness the rituals daily.

The rituals will begin every day with the vedic chantings and homas. On the last four days, the rituals would be held throughout the day and night without any break.

People of all relgious can particiapte in the Athirathram.

The organisers are also planning to approach the scientific community to study the various effects of the ritual on the atmosphere and the surroundings.